Penalties for Speeding in a Highway Work Zone in Virginia

A Virginia Speeding ticket is punished with a fine and DMV points.  However, certain areas in Virginia have increased penalties for speeding.  These areas include highway work zones, school zones, and residential areas.  The post below focuses on the penalties for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia.

Penalties for Speeding in a Highway Work Zone in Virginia

Penalties are increased for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia.  The penalties for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia apply if a driver speeds in a highway work zone when workers are present and the highway work zone has signs noting the speed limit and the penalties for speeding (Va. Code §46.2-878.1). The penalties for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia include a fine, DMV demerit points, and a conviction on the offender’s driving record.

Penalty for Speeding in a Highway Work Zone in Virginia: Fine

One of the penalties for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia is a higher fine.  The fine can be pre-paid (Va. Code §46.2-878.3) and is usually $7 for every mile per hour over the speed limit the offender was speeding.

Many drivers are surprised to learn, however, that pre-paying the fine for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia is an admission of guilt and will result in a conviction for speeding on the offender’s Virginia driving record.

The maximum fine for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia is higher than the maximum fine for speeding in most other areas in Virginia.  The maximum fine for speeding in Virginia is usually $250, but the maximum fine for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia is $500.

Penalty for Speeding in a Highway Work Zone in Virginia: DMV Demerit Points

Another one of the penalties for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia is automatic DMV demerit points.  If a driver is convicted of speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia, the DMV will add demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.  The number of points added to the offender’s record is based on how fast the offender was driving.

Driving 1-9 miles per hour over the speed limit will result in 3 DMV points.  Driving 10-19 miles per hour over the speed limit will result in 4 DMV points.  Driving more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit will result in 6 DMV points.

Accumulating too many DMV demerit points in a short period of time could result in penalties imposed by the DMV, up to and including DMV driver’s license suspension.

Click here for more information on Virginia speeding tickets and DMV demerit points.

Penalty for Speeding in a Highway Work Zone in Virginia: Conviction on Driving Record

Another one of the penalties for speeding in a highway work zone in Virginia is a conviction on the offender’s Virginia driving record.  Pre-paying the fine for a speeding ticket or being convicted of a Virginia speeding ticket in court will result in a conviction for speeding on the offender’s Virginia driving record.  This conviction will remain on the offender’s driving record for 5 years.

The more convictions a driver has on his Virginia driving record, the less likely the police and courts are to be lenient in the future if the driver is charged with another traffic infraction-or even worse, another speeding ticket or Reckless Driving.

 

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